Connect with us

Politics

Court affirms Abure as LP chairman

Published

on

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, affirmed Julius Abure’s position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

The presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, issued an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to validate and recognise the Abure-led leadership of the party.

The court also validated the March 2024 Nnewi national convention of the party that produced the Abure-led executive.

Justice Nwite said, “I am of the view that, based on these cogent verifiable documents, the defendants’ attempt to impeach the validity of the leadership of the plaintiff fails.

“The plaintiff has proved his case, and I hereby make an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party, under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure, all the rights and privileges accorded to a political party duly registered in Nigeria.”

The plaintiff (Labour Party) in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, sued the Independent National Electoral Commission as the sole defendant.

In the originating summons, the plaintiff asked the court to decide, among other things, whether by the combined interpretation of Sections 251(1)(r) and 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 43 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the plaintiff is entitled to be issued the Notice of the Refresher Training for Upload of Political Party Agents onto the Independent National Electoral Commission Portal for the Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled to hold on 16th November 2024 by the defendant.

The plaintiff also prayed the court for an order compelling the defendant to accord the plaintiff’s political party, under the leadership of Abure, all the rights and privileges accorded to a political party duly registered in Nigeria and a cost of 5 million naira for the action.

ALSO READ:  APC accuses PDP of politicising stampedes

Recall that following INEC’s announcement that it did not recognise Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, the party accused its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, of betrayal.

Meanwhile, INEC, in its counter-affidavit, challenged the party’s exclusion from the commission’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

The commission, through its legal team led by Tanko Inuwa (SAN), contended that the Labour Party’s suit sought declaratory reliefs that could not be granted based on admissions alone and that the party needed to prove its case.

INEC argued that the party’s leadership, including Abure, was invalid and that the March 2024 National Convention that re-elected Abure as chairman violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.

INEC stated that it only deals with parties that have legitimate leadership in place and that, due to the failure of the political party to meet legal requirements for holding its national convention, the electoral body argued that the party no longer had valid leadership and urged the court to dismiss LP’s suit.

Meanwhile, in April 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu of a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, issued an order restraining Abure and the National Secretary, Farouk Ibrahim, from parading themselves as national leaders of the party.

The court also barred the National Organising Secretary, Clement Ojukwu, and the Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, from parading themselves as executives of the party.

Politics

Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Confirms Monday Okpebholo as Governor

Published

on

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has officially recognized Monday Okpebholo as the legitimate governor of Edo State.

In a series of three judgments, the tribunal rejected petitions submitted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, and Accord Party.

The tribunal determined that the PDP did not present any witnesses to substantiate its claims of overvoting.

Specifically, the PDP failed to bring forth polling unit agents from the locations where they alleged electoral discrepancies occurred.

Furthermore, the tribunal noted that among the 19 witnesses presented by the petitioners, 14 were ward and local government agents, while the primary witness, who claimed to be a director of strategy for the PDP, had no involvement in the election’s execution.

Additionally, the tribunal remarked that the BVAS evidence submitted by the petitioners was inadequately presented.

ALSO READ:  Matawalle, Yari’s vision for Zamfara inspired me to join APC – Kabiru Classic
Continue Reading

Politics

SDP condemns Kogi govt’s ban on rallies

Published

on

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has condemned the ban on political rallies and convoys imposed by the state government.

State Chairman of SDP, Mr Ahmed Attah, issued the condemnation in a statement signed by the SDP Press Secretary, Isaiah Ijele, on Tuesday in Lokoja.

The party described the ban as an attack on democratic principles and a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices.

Attah urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to learn from the past and avoid repeating old, harmful practices that have hindered the state’s progress.

“The party views this action as an attempt to suppress the freedom of association and movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Attah insisted that the state is not at war and urged the government to focus on development instead of engaging in political manoeuver.

He warned that Kogi must not return to the dark days of repression, particularly against the opposition. (NAN)

ALSO READ:  Matawalle, Yari’s vision for Zamfara inspired me to join APC – Kabiru Classic
Continue Reading

Politics

How mega opposition coalition can defeat Tinubu in 2027 election —Ex-presidential candidate

Published

on

The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.

Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.

Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,

“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.

“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.

“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.

“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.

“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.

He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.

Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.

ALSO READ:  Poly Rector mobilises support for Ododo’s administration

He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested

Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.

He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.

NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.

Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)

Continue Reading